Free speech

Seven Stories believes publishers have a special responsibility to defend free speech and human rights. On several notable occasions, Seven Stories has stepped in to publish important books that were being refused the right to publish for political reasons,[citation needed] including Dark Alliance by Pulitzer Prize–winning journalist Gary Webb, Citizen Newhouse by Carol Felsenthal, The Others by pseudonymous Saudi Arabian lesbian author Seba al-Herz, and All Things Censored by distinguished journalist and death row inmate Mumia Abu-Jamal.

Siete Cuentos

Launched in 2000, Seven Stories’ Spanish-language imprint, Siete Cuentos Editorial, represents an effort to introduce a selection English-language texts to Spanish-language readers. Siete Cuentos has published Spanish-language editions of Our Bodies, Ourselves (Nuestros cuerpos, nuestras vidas) and Howard Zinn’s A People’s History of the United States (La otra historia de los Estados Unidos.) Siete Cuentos has published new and classic works of literature by Ariel Dorfman, including Death and the Maiden (La muerte y la doncella) and Heading South, Looking North (Rumbo al sur, deseando el norte), as well as fiction by Ángela Vallvey and Sonia Rivera-Valdés. Recent Spanish translations include Charles C. Mann's 1491 (Una nueva historia de la Americas antes de Colon).

Triangle Square, books for young readers

The new imprint from Seven Stories Press was launched in 2012 and combines social justice and good storytelling to a reading audience of young adults and children. Triangle Square supports the struggle for social justice and restoration of the environment, kid's rights, and freedom of the imagination. Triangle Square titles include The Story of the Blue Planet by Andri Snær Magnason, Trevor by James Lecesne, 'Do You Dream in Color?" by Laurie Rubin, A Young People’s History of the United States by Howard Zinn, adapted by Rebecca Stefoff, and A Different Mirror for Young People: A History of Multicultural America by Ronald Takaki, adapted by Rebecca Stefoff. Titles include What Makes A Baby and Sex is a Funny Word by Cory Silverberg, A is for Activist and Counting on Community by Innosanto Nagara, and The Third Chimpanzee for Young People by Jared Diamond, adapted by Rebecca Stefoff.

2012 — Winner Robert F. Kennedy Journalism Award[14] in Cartoon for The Beginning of the American Fall and Code Green. Originally commissioned by the Cartoon Movement, The Beginning of the American Fall is now available through Seven Stories and expanded on in the minimum security chronicles.

2001 — Firecracker Alternative Book Award for Independent Press of the Year[15]